Is it possible to compare a Mk1 XR2 with a Sportka?

Now I’m aware this might be a bit controversial but..
I was cruising the Fast Fords Facebook page other day when a Sportka popped up on the wall which was very quickly followed by a “the Sportka is no fast Ford” put down. Which got me thinking, would anyone say the same of a Mk1 XR2. Such cars are hugely popular these days with good examples going for £15k or more, but if you look at the spec sheets for both cars they are surprisingly similar.
Now before anyone starts hollowing with outrage at the blaspheme of comparing a Sportka to an XR2, and I for one would certainly not do so, the Fiesta has wonderfully simple yet classic lines that endow it with a timeless quality, where as the Sportka on the other hand is is more of a Marmite design, (I do feel it looks infinitely better in its sports guise than in standard spec) love it or hate it, the fact is that there are many things the two cars have in common.

They both have a purity of design that strips away all the un-necessary adornments of modern motoring, instead they both just put you straight back in touch with the business of driving a car.
Both cars have 1.6L, 8 valve engines, the Sportka with 95bhp vs XR2’s 84bhp.
They are light, with the Sportka weighting 2059lb and the XR2 coming in at a truly feather weight 1820lb (what did they make cars of in those days), with the weight/power disparities cancelling each other out to give almost identical 0-60 times of 9.7 vs 9.4 seconds. Top seeds are surprisingly close as well, given the Sportka’s greater power, 108/106mph.

Now it is actually a long time since I drove an XR2 but I happen to be in possession of a Sportka and I will say that it is a great car to drive, with its nimble chassis more than happy to play with the extra power that the larger engine produces, and its all over sense of lets have some fun! Fizzy is how I describe the driving experience. I can’t say too much regarding the XR2 as like I said, it has been a while. (anyone out there with an XR2 fancies comparing the two, side by side…….. please let me know, it would make a cracking little video)

In conclusion then we have to two cars, 30 odd years apart but still very much in time with each other. It just happens that one is a hugely desirable classic, where as the other is almost impossible to give away. Maybe one day the Sportka will get the appreciation I feel it deserves, maybe.

P.S There some 2100 XR2’s still out there but most are sorn, so being kept for when the money is right. Where as there are some 4500 Sportka’s though the numbers are dwindling fast due to the rust issues they do have. Could be getting rare soon, just saying!